ASEAN TO FOCUS MORE ON PEOPLE'S INVOLVEMENT

By D. Arul Rajoo

HUA HIN (Thailand), Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, with its multi-cultural
society, has come forward to share its experiences with other Asean countries as
the regional grouping moves towards greater integration and connectivity among
its 580 million population, Malaysian Information Communication and Culture
Minister Dr Rais Yatim said here Thursday.

He said the 1Malaysia concept could be used by member countries as they aim
for 1Asean that involves more than just trade, security and politics.

"There is a lot of writing on the Asean identity and the Asean community.
But the impression now is that Asean is only about two-way trade, politics or
security," he told the media after attending the Second Asean Socio-Cultural
Community Council meeting.

Dr Rais said Asean leaders, who would gather for the 15th Asean Summit here
Friday, want to encompass both physical connectivity such as communication
infrastructure and networks, as well as people-to-people contacts through
educational and cultural cooperation.

"There are not many programmes towards people's involvement, although we
have a rich tradition of culture," he said.


Dr Rais said there would be lot of cultural activities next year as
ministers believed that it would help to build the Asean community that could
provide linkages between the past and the present, as well as push further to
the future.

"We will find ways to reduce the gap in the people's involvement in the
region. From now, we will create activities to bring the people together and
understand each other's values," he said.

Among others, Dr Rais said, Asean hoped to recognise historical cities which
had a rich cultural heritage, as well emphasise more on women, children and
environment issues.

When asked why the women and children topics were included in the
Socio-Cultural Community Council, he said cultural issues could not be separated
from humanitarian issues.

"The issues of women and children have often been highlighted at
international conferences. Asean wants to make sure these issues are not
sidelined," he said.

-- BERNAMA